We’re in business, working in diverse and dynamic communities, but we’re also people with a heart who know how to give back to those in need.

Car dealers are regularly approached by charities in their respective regions. These business people often say yes to causes that help people in need.

What I find remarkable is that many are doing it quietly, without fanfare. Christmas hampers, fundraising for a local organization or even financial support for amateur sports, the gestures are multiplying.

This contribution is certainly appreciated by all those who benefit from it. Because they are so close to their communities, dealers in remote areas are also very active in the community.

The positive effect is significant. But beyond the help we give to those who need it, within the limits of our capacities, social involvement has an echo within our teams. Here too, the examples are many and varied. When a whole team pulls together for a cause, whether it’s taking part in a fundraising walk or donating volunteer hours to a local organization, the whole group comes out on top. There’s no better way to strengthen the bonds between these workers, who then see beyond their day-to-day tasks within a company.

The Mobilis Foundation

This brings me to our foundation, the Mobilis Foundation, which helps people with mobility problems. It was the dealers of the greater Quebec City area who, despite their various local involvements, set up this foundation. For them, it was a springboard for channelling aid to communities under a common theme.

The great advantage of this approach is that requests for help often come from their own locality. By supporting the Mobilis Foundation, they can help people close to them whose needs they can fully appreciate.

I’m particularly proud of this initiative, which was launched in 2009 and is still going strong and relevant today. No fewer than 340 beneficiaries have received help from the Foundation over the years, and $1.6 million has been raised to help fund health service projects and specialist equipment to help them overcome their mobility impairment.

Mobilis Corporation organises two fundraising events a year. The first is our Golf Tournament held on August 17, raising $70,000. The second will take place on March 4th, at the Quebec City International Auto Show benefit evening.

It’s a great opportunity for dealers to contribute to the cause, even if they do it differently locally.